With the NBA Conference Finals showcasing high-octane basketball drama, the excitement doesn’t end on the court. In a parallel universe of trading card enthusiasts, there’s a distinct buzz akin to electric dribbles and slam dunks—a burst of enthusiasm enveloping coveted card inserts such as Kaboom, Downtown, and Color Blast. As card collectors pivot their gaze towards these shiny pieces of cardboard, the stars of the remaining conference finalists—the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks—find their prices being meticulously tracked and their worth debated like the odds on a tight playoff game.
Starting off this fervent journey through sporting memorabilia in Oklahoma City, where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) has morphed into a collector’s dream. Once a young dynamo with great potential, SGA’s evolution into a cornerstone player for the Thunder has mirrored his ascent in the world of trading cards. Particularly, his 2023 One and One Downtown card market is mirroring the waves of his playoff performances with an upward trajectory. Over the past month, raw versions of this sought-after card have climbed 7.4%, hopping from an early May low of $1,950 to a more substantial $2,500. However, for those eyeing the pinnacle of card grading, a PSA 10 graded version has taken an unusual downward slide of 20%, last sold for a hefty $3,700. Meanwhile, SGA’s 2023 Obsidian Black Color Blast makes a bold, colorful statement in the trading greenhouse. With raw options up a robust 22% and PSA 10 versions fetching $1,170, there’s an open opportunity for savvy collectors to seize.
Turning a compass towards the north, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ sensation Anthony Edwards, aka Ant-Man, is causing his own ripple effect, not just on the hardwood but across card trading scenes as well. His charisma and jaw-dropping plays encapsulate what the Kaboom! series is renowned for—a chaotic pop of action encapsulated in a card. Ant-Man’s 2020 Crown Royale Rookie Kaboom! series is holding a firm line with raw cards hovering around $2,950. However, for those in possession of a pristine PSA 10, the market has shown a reported 2.5% increase, marking a May 7 sale at $8,923. Meanwhile, an even juicier piece, his 2020 One of One Rookie Downtown, has skyrocketed with PSA 10 versions up 33% to a jaw-dropping $13,000. With every three-point dagger and highlight reel jam, Edwards continues to justify his card market sizzle.
Swinging the spotlight towards the Midwest, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers is rounding the bases like a golden staple for fans and collectors alike. As he makes significant strides in leading Indiana’s charge, Haliburton’s card portfolio, particularly his 2020 One and One Rookie Downtown, reflects an upwards mood. The raw version has been holding steady at $1,500, but it’s the PSA 10 version that has electrified with a 40% surge, selling now for $4,000 as per early May stats. His 2023 Spectra Color Blast isn’t neglectful of attention either, as vivid hues attract interested eyes with the last transaction peaking at $830 raw and $1,463 PSA 10. Should Indiana push deeper into the playoffs, Haliburton’s cards may just see numbers approach sky-high.
Not to be outdone in the narrative of unpredictability, the New York Knicks and Jalen Brunson provide a case study in contrast, much like their wildcard playoff run. Finding their way into the Conference Finals through perhaps providence and grit, no one pulls off a surprise like the Knicks. Brunson’s 2023 One and One Downtown charters similarly volatile waters. While raw cards dipped 14% over a month, sitting at $1,100, their PSA 10 counterparts experienced an impressive rally, basking in a 35% price increase to $2,425. What does this mean for the enthusiast eyeing a potential underdog story? There’s an opportunity here woven into the fabric of uncertainty and playoff currents—buy raw, get it graded, and await the potentially euphoric outcomes of unpredictable postseason outcomes.
As each dribble hits hardwood in these culminating moments of the NBA, so too do pulses quicken among trading card investors, collectors, and fans. With the final crowning of a champion drawing closer, every unexpected pass or clutch shot can lead to shifts in value in the world of sports memorabilia, making it a season not only of athletic prowess but of collecting adventure.
